Jury sentences man accused of killing 6 in Carnation to life

A jury has sentenced a man convicted of killing six people in the Christmas Eve 2007 killings in Carnation, Washington, to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The jury reported the verdict on Wednesday after nearly a week of deliberations. They told the judge they were unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether Joseph McEnroe should have given the death penalty. The judge explained the default verdict in such a circumstance is life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors say McEnroe and his then-girlfriend, Michele Anderson, killed six members of her family. He was convicted in March. The same juror that convicted McEnroe of aggravated murder decided his penalty.

Michele Anderson's trial is scheduled this fall.

This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 2:48 PM.